Panaji (Goa), Dec 05 : Thousands of devotees on Monday attended the feast mass of Saint Francis Xavier in Goa's capital Panaji. The mass event was held to commemorate the death anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier. Devotees from across the country, irrespective of caste and faith, converged at Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses St. Xavier's body, in Old Goa. Saint Francis Feast is celebrated every year. The saint was affectionately called Goincho Saib or the Lord of Goa. Saint Xavier, who was born in Spain, devoted his life to religion and the service of the poor and the downtrodden. He first arrived in Goa, then a Portuguese colony. He travelled throughout Asia, founding Christian communities in southern Japan and parts of what are now Indonesia and Malaysia. His efforts earned him the appellation "Apostle to the Indies", and he was canonised in 1622.